Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, Stephanie Meyers does. I do own this plot and story-line I own my own original characters and a sweet little Chrome book I just love.

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Chapter 15: Chillin' and Grillin'

Edward POV

As I walk back into the house with my family and Bella, I notice that everyone from the ranch is already gathered there. When we make our way inside, I follow the distinct sound of happiness to the living room, where everyone is sitting around, laughing and joking. Seth calls out a, "What's up, Boss?" once he notices us standing there. Bella just shakes her head at him before going over to the chair that Cassie is sitting in, playing with an iPad. She playfully scoops up her giggling daughter, sits down where Cassie was, bringing her down on her lap. "You wanna show Mrs. Rose you're talkin' game?" she asks her softly. A quiet "Yeah" is heard as Cassie scooches off Bella's lap and makes her way over to where Rose is sitting. Rose moves over a bit to make room for her and Cassie jumps right up in the spot next to her.

I take in the whole group's demeanor as they casually watch Cassie show what her game can do. Rose is intently watching the young girl, while Bella and the rest of my family look on to see if Cassie will speak to Rose. After we see that their interaction will be more show than tell, Bella turns her attention to us.

"You guys were awesome today. Thanks so much for everything y'all did to help make this mini-camp such a success. I know that most of y'all came here not really knowin' what to expect, but ya jumped in with both boots, not questioning anything. As a way of sayin' thank you, I'll be makin' dinner tomorrow night and y'all are more than welcome to join us. However, after dinner you're on your own, except for Billy, Sarah and the Cullens," she explains leaning her head back against the chair. You can see how tired she is and how much of herself she puts into every aspect of this ranch. Not everyone notices it, but I can see it in her eyes. "Sam did you get everythin' delivered ok?" she asks him without even opening her eyes.

"Easy peasy. Aunt Sue says thanks. Oh, and Mr. Brady wants to know if you'll marry him," he tells her laughing which causes her to lift her head and give him her full attention and Sam continues on, "I told'em Sarah and Edward cooked, but he doesn't care. He only has eyes for you." Sam and a couple of others can't hold in their mirth and soft snorts of laughter and amusement chorus around the room. I try to laugh along with them, but I'm surprised by a small pang of jealousy that hits me unexpectedly.

"That man is so sweet. Poor thing just misses his family. How's he doin'?" she asks, her voice taking on a sadness that I wasn't expecting.

"Aunt Sue said his heart is gettin' weaker, but he's in good spirits," he states with a slight frown.

I saw Bella wipe a tear from her eye before she glances over at Cassie and Rose playing with her iPad.

"You two plannin' a whole menu over there?" she asks playfully, smiling at her daughter, trying to lighten the hint of somber that has seeped into the conversation. Cassie just smiles big and crinkles her nose at her mom and quickly went back to playing with Rose and her iPad. "You better talk to Mr. Edward to see if he can cook all your ideas there, sassy pants."

"Bella, this is the most user friendly app I've ever seen," Rose exclaims in excitement. "Did you have someone do the programming, or did you do it?"

"I knew what I wanted. Well, I knew what would work for her and laid everything out. Jessica actually wrote the program. She was in talks with someone to write it as a self-build or somethin'," Bella waved off the description, obviously not having a full grasp at the technology involved. "We want it to be accessible to those who need it but, this one designer guy wants to profit from it, and that ain't gonna happen," she explains with disdain lacing her voice. "I believe she's still lookin' for a designer so we can get it out there. I'm lettin' her handle that side of it, though.

"There's a National Autism Awareness Expose that we want to attend in July and we're hoping to unveil it there. But, until we have a designer that isn't tryin' to use it as a get rich quick launch, then it's a no go," she finishes with a sigh.

This girl never stops. She truly does want to help everyone she can just like she told Emmett.

My dad caught my eye and nods at me, in support. I clear my throat and speak up.

"I have a friend, Dylan, from college. He writes programs for a gaming company, maybe I can mention it to him. I could have him contact Jessica?" I ask not wanting to step on any toes. "He has a son whose autistic, so he would understand better than most what you're trying to do. I mean if that's ok?"

"Hell yeah, it's ok!" Jessica proclaims, jumping up and grabbing her bag from the chair. She plops herself down right next to me as she searches through it pulling out a business card and a pen. She then scribbles down a phone number and hands it to me. "Give him the ranch business number if he agrees. That is so awesome, thanks." Seth just shakes his head at her smiling with pride written all over his face, but its Bella's expression that takes me back a bit. Her eyes seemed to harden just a bit at Jessica's exuberance.

"Ok we have an hour to just chill, so no more business talk. And baby girl, put that away; you're makin' me hungry," Jacob announces laughing, sensing the change in Bella as well. Cassie ignores him and continues with her meal planning patting Rose's arm to get her attention.

We just sit around chatting and relaxing until it's time for Sarah, Emmett, Jasper and myself to go start grilling. Billy comes with us while everyone else stays behind.

We just talk about the day as we cook, until Billy asks Emmett, "So, Sarah tells me you just 'bout gave Bella a heart attack. What's up with that?"

"That little girl turned my brain into mush. She's just so sweet and I want to help her, but by doing more than just buying her new braces. I just can't explain it," he tries to explain. "Rose and I are going to spend some time with her tonight," he explains clearly frustrated with what Heidi is going through. "I just couldn't get what I was feeling to come out right with my words. Thank goodness Leah was there, because I think both, Rose and Bella, were going to beat me to death," he laughs.

"She's a sweet little girl that has been through too much in her short five years of life. Just spend time with her, and y'all should talk to Bella tomorrow," Sarah cuts in with a slight frown. I don't think that her mood is due to Emmett's inquiry, but more for Heidi and all that she has been through.

We were soon flipping the chicken and putting the fish on the fire, while Sarah went to the kitchen in the center to start getting the side dishes ready, Billy and Emmett set-up the pavilion tables. Soon, we're joined by the others. Sarah effortlessly directs where everything needs to go, while Jasper and I finish the chicken and fish. We add them to the serving dishes Billy brings us and head over to the pavilion.

The families start to arrive and I notice Emmett is holding Heidi's hand asking what she wants to eat, while Rose is making her a plate. They sit down with her at the table next to ours. Emmett and Rose are on either side of her, and Rachel joins them, sitting across from Heidi.

Bella and my parents watch them with a smile on their faces. Cassie is letting my mother help her eat this time which, gives Bella and Jessica both a break to eat their own dinner while it's warm. Alice is asking Bella questions about a horse Sam had showed her earlier.

"So you can't sell him because he's a rescue, so you have to adopt him out?" Alice inquires with a small frown.

"It's not that I'm not allowed to sell him, I just don't feel right makin' a profit off a horse that has had to work so hard to get back where he is," Bella explains, gesturing with her hands toward the barn off in the distance. "If I adopt him out, I can control where he goes. The adoption requirements we have for the ranch gives us the right to check out the property where the animal will live. It also allows us to make follow-up visits to make sure they are being taken care of properly. Does that make sense?"

"Perfect sense," Alice replies as a smile creeps up on her face. "So, do you have boarding stables?"

"Ok Alice, out with it. I see that smile so tell me what you want?" Bella asks smiling back at her, obviously on to what Alice is thinking.

"I want him! Gosh, now I sound like Emmett," she states, looking a little guilty. "I want to adopt him. Jasper said I couldn't ask yet, but I can't help it. He's so gentle and sweet," she states bouncing in her excitement, while Jasper just shakes his head. "I know he'll never be a show or therapy horse. But, he will be a great trail horse, once someone starts working will him on a regular basis. I want that someone to be me."

"I'll make you a deal, after our family meetin' tomorrow, why don't you, Jasper and I sit down and talk more about it, ok?" she tells her while Alice continues to bounce in her seat.

"Deal!" she exclaims clapping her hands together.

"Dinner was great Sarah and Edward, just as lunch was. Now, we need to get those boys to start the fires before the chill sets in," she states before turning and calling for Jacob.

Once she has nagged Jacob enough to get him to start the campfires, she turns her attention back to the table.

"Hey, Edward," Bella says getting my attention. "Do you know how to cook gluten free foods and avoid cross-contamination?"

"Yes ma'am, I have a few gluten free entrees on the menu at the restaurant. Some of my regulars have celiac disease, so I try to switch it up for them," I confirm. I can feel my smile falter as I think of my restaurant back in Seattle, and hope that it's still standing.

"Good to know," she says before starting to clean up. I notice Sarah smile at me like she knows a secret.

After we finish cleaning up, we head over to the bonfire lugging coolers full of s'mores stuff. This is going to be messy, but what fun would it be if it wasn't a little messy. I notice there is a barricade around the large bonfire so no one can get burned and a couple of smaller fire pits built from stone with matching benches around them set back far enough from the large bonfire to be safe.

She thinks of everything.

It's near the small fire pits that we set the coolers full of the ingredients to roast the marshmallows and assemble the gooey treats. All of us from the ranch help the children make their s'mores so that the parents can enjoy themselves as well. Emmett even turns it into a challenge to see who could stay the cleanest, which he lost when three little boys tackled him for stealing their marshmallows.

Sarah hands Bella a Tupperware container with some crackers in it. Bella then hands it off to Jasper, who is helping Cassie roast a marshmallow on a long stick. I guess I have a questioning look on my face because Bella answers my unspoken question.

"They're gluten and honey free. I bake them myself so she can have s'mores too." Now I know where the gluten free question came from, Cassie can't have gluten.

I turn my attention back to the crowed and just chuckle at everyone. I have to admit that I too, was having a blast. I notice Jasper and Cassie just watching all the rowdiness from their perch on one of the benches. She would giggle at us but not move from the safety of Jasper's side.

It was dark by the time everyone had eaten their weight in yummy goodness known as s'mores. I notice Bella walk to the center fire and turn to face everyone. My breath catches at the mere sight of her. The fire behind her casts a halo around her whole body as if she is an angel. I miss most of what she is saying since I'm so taken in by the vision of her. It looks as if her inner beauty is shining through in that very moment and it is all consuming.

"...breakfast will be served at eight o'clock in the morning, inside the activities center. I hope you had a great time. Please let me know if you need assistance gettin' back to your cabin," I hear her finish. Looking around, I see that she stands and the kids are as clean as possible without sticking them in a tub ourselves.

How long was I just standing here staring at her?

"Sassy Girl, it's time for bath and bed," she tells her daughter who looks like she is fixing to give her mother hell. "Mr. Jasper is coming too, so if you want some time to play, you have to hurry," she tells her gently. Cassie jumps up running to her mother.

I guess it's all in the way you say it.

Jasper just smiles as he and Alice follow them. I stay behind with the others to make sure no one needs help. Emmett carries Heidi, while Rose walks with Rachel back to their cabin. The little girl is already asleep, snuggling in on Emmett's shoulder.

Once everyone is where they're supposed to be, I walk back to the house with my parents.

"This has to have been the best day," my mother says.

"A blessed day," my father adds. I just nod in agreement. It has been a blessed day.

I set the alarm on the nightstand before I crawl into bed and fall into the best, most restful sleep I've had in a while.